Adventure of the Seas – Nassau July2025

On the last day of our cruise on RCCL’s Adventure of the Seas, we did the Island Food and Culinary Insight Tour in Nassau, Bahamas. We had a VERY long walk down the pier in Nassau before reaching the exit. Plenty of shops are around the dock but the town’s main street and native marketplace are within an easy walk. There is a tram available for disabled folks that goes to the ship. Our ship, Adventure of the Seas, docked at the farthest berth.

Our first stop on the cruise line’s Island Food and Culinary Insight Tour shore excursion in Nassau was a coffee house where we tasted Guava Duff along with a paper cup full of iced lemon ginger tea. The guava duff was a doughy mixture with guava fruit inside and served with a vanilla rum sauce. It was tasty, but the shop had standing room only which made maneuvering difficult. Regular customers had to jostle their way through the crowd to give take-out orders at the counter. It was uncomfortable and not helped that the driver/guide only gave our head count of 26 guests after we entered. So we stood around, squashed like sardines, for fifteen minutes or so while he told stories.

Stop number two was a tea shop where we heard a brief lecture on the benefits of their herbal teas. You could buy a box with ten teabags for $16.00. A steal, right? This air-conditioned shop also had coffee beans, shot glasses and other souvenirs for sale but it seemed pricey to me. I passed up this golden opportunity to meander outside, where we could taste mixed rum drinks for free. I liked this portion and even bought a couple of small ready-made bottles to bring home. Down a slight hill in the rear, you could also taste spicy conch salad. Across the street were some interesting buildings, and our drive to the next shop took us through the town.

On stop number three, we sat outside at a café where there wasn’t enough seating for everyone, and it was mid-July and hot. Eventually, the server brought us a plate of 4 conch fritters covered in sauce, and no forks or napkins. Ann Meier and I shared the food and were grateful when someone brought around paper towels for us to wipe our sticky fingers and a green spiked Independence Day drink, as Nassau residents were celebrating that holiday. Although the area was covered and had ceiling fans, the tables didn’t accommodate everyone on the tour. The food was good, albeit messy. They could have been better organized bringing everything out at once.

For stop four, we drove by the water and a bunch of fishing boats toward a section with one food shack after another. We went inside at our place and found seats at a counter facing the harbor. Others squeezed into chairs at very narrow tables. Here we received a platter with two fried snapper fingers, potato salad and Cole slaw, and beans and rice. We had a choice of a lemony soda or beer. It was a good meal that we might have enjoyed more if not so crammed into the room. Our stomachs satisfied, we headed back to the ship huffing and puffing in the heat as we walked down the long pier.

Dinner was a welcome retreat at the elegant Chop’s Steakhouse specialty restaurant. I dined on jumbo shrimp cocktail, petite filet mignon, and Key lime pie for my meal. It was a delightful end to a wonderful cruise.

It’s always good to arrive home, unpack, and relax while already making plans for the next voyage. My only regret from this one was that I brought home an unexpected souvenir. I figured I’d caught a mild cold with some nasal congestion, but home test results for Covid came back positive. Meanwhile, these pictures bring back happy memories. Onward to the next cruise!

Did you miss my previous Cruise posts? Read them here:
Embarkation
Coco Cay
Jamaica

Utopia of the Seas 2024 Day Two

Back onboard Utopia of the Seas after lunch in Nassau on Day Two of our 3-night trip, we had a brief rest in our cabins before exploring Central Park on Deck 8. We searched for rubber ducks, evidently a Big Thing on cruises, and only found one hiding in the shrubbery by the Solarium. Some kind ladies gave Caleb ducks during the voyage so he went home happy.

Central Park has a number of specialty restaurants, the Rising Tide bar that goes up and down the center of the ship, a café with complimentary food, and concerts in the evening when you can catch the musicians there. The greenery offers a peaceful interlude in the midst of sensory overload.

Dinner on the second night for me was a Mediterranean appetizer, shrimp cocktail, braised lamb shank, a peach dessert and crème brulée. Yes, I ate two desserts. Why not?

Satisfied with our meals, we headed to All In! Production Show with singers and dancers. What stood out from my previous 30+ cruises were the special effects. Utopia of the Seas is a brand-new ship and it showed in the technology. From doors that open at a wave to ship-wide WiFi that allows you to text your companions, the level of technology was impressive. This show used it to greater heights. Lasers provided illuminations such as I hadn’t seen before, and drones circled the stage with twinkling lights. This event truly dazzled the senses.

Coming Next: Coco Cay

Utopia of the Seas 2024 Nassau

On Day Two of our 3-night voyage on Utopia of the Seas, we visited the Port of Nassau. Nassau is the capital of the Bahamas. Once a pirate haven, today the islands are a popular tourist destination. The tropical weather and natural wonders bring in many visitors. Since I’d been here before, I didn’t need to take a tour to see the forts, the government buildings, or other attractions.

But first, I indulged in a hearty breakfast on the ship. Ms. Washy Washy greeted us and steered us to the row of sinks in front of the Windjammer Café. Breakfast is my favorite meal on a cruise. Look at all these delights! They had every one of my favorite dishes. You could have fresh omelets made, too, although I opted for either a ready-made omelet slice or a prepared fried egg.

We exited the ship to walk down a long concrete pier straight into downtown. There are some shops right outside the port and more on Bay Street. We crossed over to the Straw Market and jostled our way through the crowded stalls. As I learned later, you can buy much the same goods on Coco Cay at their native market.

We stopped at Senor Frog’s for lunch. Here I couldn’t resist ordering a Bahama Mama. We shared a platter of nachos with cheese. The appetizer portion was enough for all four of us. This venue is very noisy but upbeat and cheerful. If you want a quieter location, go outside to the bar in the back that extends over the water.

I love the color of the sea in the Bahamas. Its turquoise clarity lets you see clear to the bottom.

Coming Next: Day Two Afternoon

A Day in Nassau

Our first port of call on Majesty of the Seas was Nassau. Having been here before, we didn’t care to take a tour and elected instead to find a place for lunch.

I’d read about a native Bahamian restaurant and wanted to check it out. Several blocks later, we entered the place on a quiet side street. Nobody was there, and so we left. It’s not a good sign if a restaurant lacks customers. We retraced our steps and chose an air-conditioned place by the water called Via Restaurant and Bar. Our grilled snapper was delicious but spicy. It came with cole slaw plus rice and beans. You can find lots of places to eat along the waterfront including Senor Frog by the far end.

We shopped on Bay Street despite the intermittent downpours and ended up buying inexpensive umbrellas to add to our collection. Stores were decorated for Christmas. The straw market is still here and under cover. I bought a hat since I’d forgotten to bring mine. The usual souvenirs are available along with fine jewelry, liquor, and perfumes on Bay Street. Know your prices before you go.

If you’re here for the first time, you can do a city tour, view the fort, visit the Atlantis resort, or participate in a number of water sports activities. I regret that RCCL didn’t offer a culinary experience or any kind of botanical garden if there is one on the island. However, the rainy weather made our independent choice the best one.

View all the photos HERE.

Next Post: Coco Cay

Save